Unit Five Calls Shooting Response Mostly Successful
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 10, 2012
NORMAL - The McLean County Unit Five School District is reviewing its response to the shooting crisis Friday.
Overall, Superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus said things went according to plan and unfolded like they had been practiced in drills before.
But Niehaus said there are a few areas the district might look to revise.
For instance, he said there needs to be a better internal communications system with walkie talkies.
He said school security is now under the microscope as well. Metal detectors are not off the table, and backpacks might be banned from high school classrooms.
That's the current policy in Unit Five junior high schools.
Niehaus said measures currently in place were put there with a focus of keeping the bad out, not necessarily preventing bad from within.
"When we put security systems in, we worried about keeping people out. But now that we know it can also come from within, now what do we do with that to beef up security processes and work through that," he said.
He added the district wished it was able to reunite families more quickly after a mass school evacuation Friday.
But over all he said the process was smooth and successful with counselors helping make the connection between each parent and student.
Counselors remain involved at NCHS for those needing to talk about the incident. Some have even been brought in from the junior high level.
Overall, Superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus said things went according to plan and unfolded like they had been practiced in drills before.
But Niehaus said there are a few areas the district might look to revise.
For instance, he said there needs to be a better internal communications system with walkie talkies.
He said school security is now under the microscope as well. Metal detectors are not off the table, and backpacks might be banned from high school classrooms.
That's the current policy in Unit Five junior high schools.
Niehaus said measures currently in place were put there with a focus of keeping the bad out, not necessarily preventing bad from within.
"When we put security systems in, we worried about keeping people out. But now that we know it can also come from within, now what do we do with that to beef up security processes and work through that," he said.
He added the district wished it was able to reunite families more quickly after a mass school evacuation Friday.
But over all he said the process was smooth and successful with counselors helping make the connection between each parent and student.
Counselors remain involved at NCHS for those needing to talk about the incident. Some have even been brought in from the junior high level.
